Window actuator control system



March 29, 1966 c. L. BURNS 3,243,680

WINDOW ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 8, 1964 ZYW mm 9 AT TOR/VEYS United States Patent 3,243,680 WINDOW ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Charles L. Burns, Columbus, Miss, assignor to Essex Wire Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Michigan Filed June 8, 1964, Ser. No. 373,390 Claims. (Cl. 318-293) This invention relates generally to electrical control circuits for automotive vehicle windows and more particularly to a new and improved control circuit of the type utilizing switches of relatively simplified and inexcontrol switches. vNormally, the control circuits for such systems include a driver control comprising a switch for each automotive window motor located on the door adjacent the driver seat. In addition, a separate control switch for each passenger window motor is located in each of the other doors and is connected in parallel with the corresponding switch in the driver control.

Prior art window operator circuits conventionally uti lize switches of the double pole, double throw type. Those skilled in the art appreciate that the contacts of such switches are actuated in pairs, rather than individually, thereby tending to reduce the active life of such switches. In addition, the prior art switches often were characterized by the use of relatively expensive constructions incorporating many parts and cross-bus links between the stationary contacts of associated switch sections within a double pole, double throw switch assembly.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a new and improved electrical control circuit for automotive window operators having a simplicity and economy of construction so as to overcome the problems of the prior art arrangements.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide such an improved window control circuit which is particularly adapted for use with permanent magnet reversible DC. motors having dynamic braking to stop and hold the automobile window at a desired height.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved window control circuit, as above, which advantageously utilizes a separate single pole, double throw switch for each window raising or lowering operation, with at least two of such switches being connected in a novel circuit at each control station to permit the selective raising and lowering of the associated window.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved window control circuit for selectively controlling the position of automotive vehicle windows which utilizes switches having relatively few and inexpensive parts and wherein the contacts are actuated individually rather than in pairs to greatly increase the expected life of the switch.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved window control circuit comprised of a plurality of single pole, double throw switches electrically interconnected in a novel manner which facilitates the ganging of such switches for use in a master panel at the drivers station in the automobile.

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended 'ice stood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an illustrative schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of the invention showing one of the window operator switches in the down position;

FIGURE 2 shows the illustrative schematic circuit diagram of the invention with one of the window operator switches in the up position;

FIGURE 3 shows the illustrative schematic circuit diagram of the invention with both window operator switches in the off or neutral position;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of one illustrative type of switch construction that advantageously may be utilized in the circuit of the present invention, taken substantially as shown on line 4-4 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the switch construction shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 thereof, there is shown three diiferent views illustrating the operating conditions of a novel control circuit for motor vehicle windows embodying the principles of the present invention. Advantageously, the novel control circuit is adapted for particular use in a vehicle window system of the type including a reversible D.C. window operating motor having an armature through which current may pass in either of two operative directions to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor in accordance with the selective actuation of a suitable switch lever positioned adjacent the window to be controlled or adjacent the driver position in the vehicle.

The window operating motor is identified in the drawing by the reference numeral 10, with the motor having the terminals 12 and 14 for connection to the motor control system of the present invention. Advantageously, motor 10 may be a permanent magnet reversible DC. motor having the characteristic of dynamic braking to stop and hold the window at a desired height. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the motor control circuit of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this particular type of motor, and that various other types of reversible motors may be used therewith.

In the particular illustrative embodiments of the motor control circuit shown in the drawings, a pair of common switch assemblies is associated with each window operator motor 10. For example, the switch assembly 16 conveniently may be positioned adjacent the driver position in the automotive vehicle to enable the driver to selectively control the window height, and a second switch assembly 18 conveniently may be positioned adjacent a passenger location to enable a passenger to selectively control the height of the passenger window. In accordance with a feature of this invention, each switch casing contains a pair of single pole, double throw switches and the unique manner in which these switches are electrically interconnected to enable selective control of the window operator motor now will be described so that the operation of. the invention will be fully understood.

The remote or passenger switch assembly 18 includes two single pole, single throw switches 20 and 22, re-

spectively. Switch 20 comprises two fixed or stationary contacts 24 and 26 and a movable switch arm 28 which is pivoted at 70 to permit the switch arm 28 to be selectively positioned in electrical engagement with either the fixed contact 24 or the fixed contact 26. Similarly, switch 22 of switch assembly 18 comprises the fixed contacts 25 and 27 with a movable contact arm 29 pivoted at 31 to permit the movable contact arm to selectively be positioned in electrical engagement with either of the fixed contacts 25 or 27.

Advantage'ously, the master or driver control switch assembly 16 also includes the two switches 30 and 32 which are similar to the two single pole, single throw switches in the remote switch assembly 18. Thus, switch 30 in the driver switch assembly 16 comprises the fixed contacts 34 and 38 with the movable contact arm 36 pivoted for selective electrical engagement with either of the fixed contacts. The single pole, single throw switch 32 in the driver switch assembly 16 also includes the two fixed contacts 41) and 44 with a movable contact arm 42 pivoted for selective electrical engagement therewith. As explained below, the movable contact arm in each switch is normally biased into electrical engagement with its associated upper fixed contact as illustrated in the drawing. This normal position is the off" condition for the switch.

The novel manner in which these single pole, single throw switches are electrically interconnected in the unique motor control circuit now will be described. Terminal 12 of the reversible D.C. motor 10 is connected by the conductor 50 to the movable contact arm 28 of switch 21}. Terminal 14 of the reversible D.C. motor 10 is connected by the conductor 52 to the movable contact arm 29 of switch '22. The fixed contacts 26, 27, 38, and 44 of switches 20, 22, 30 and 32, respectively, are connected by means of the common conductor 48 to a terminal of the D.C. voltage source 46, the other terminal of which may be connected to ground. Fixed contact 24. of switch 20 is connected by the conductor 54 to the movable contact arm 36 of switch 30, while fixed contact 25 of switch '22 is connected by conductor 5 6 to the movable contact arm 42 of switch 32. The fixed contacts 34 and 40 of switches 30 and 32 are connected by the conductor 4? to ground.

FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 show the various operating positions for the switch contacts in the up window, down window, or of]? positions of the motor control circuit. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a passenger desiring to lower his window will actuate the movable contact arm 28 of switch 20 to cause the movable contact arm to be transferred from the stationary contact 24 to the stationary contact 2 6. This completes an electrical circuit from the battery 46 through the conductor 48, the fixed contact 26 the movable contact arm 28, the conductor 50. to the terminal 12 of the reversible D.C. motor The other terminal 14 of the reversible D.C. motor is connected through the conductor 52, the movable contact arm 29, the stationary contact 25, the conductor 56; the movable contact arm 42, the stationary contact 40, the stationary contact 34, and the conductor 49 back to ground. As

such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a complete electrical circuit between the voltage source 46 and the reversible D.C. motor 10 is effected'with the current flow through the motor 10 being in one direction to cause the motor to rotate in the direction which causes the window associated therewith to be lowered.

It also will be appreciated, that due to the novel interconnection of the switches in the motor control cir- -cuit of FIGURE 1, the lowering of the window also may be controlled by the driver at the driver or master switch assembly 16. In such event, the movable contact arm 28 of the passenger switch assembly 18 will be in its normally closed engagement with the contact 24, and the actuation of the switch by the driver will transfer the movable contact arm 36 of the switch assembly 16 from the stationary contact 34 to the stationary contact 3 8. This completes an electrical circuit from the voltage source 46 to; the stationary contact 38, the movable contact arm 36, the conductor 54, the stationary contact 24, the movable contact arm 28, and the conductor 50 to the terminal 12 of the motor 10:. The other terminal 14 of the motor 10 is connected to ground through the same circuit previously described and as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Thus, it will be appreciated that the window may be lowered selectively by the actuation of either the passenger at the switch assembly 18 or by the switch ac- 4 tuation of the driver at the driver or master switch assembly 16.

Likewise, the invention provides for the selective raising of a window by either the passenger through his switch assembly or the driver through his master or driver switch assembly. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the passenger may cause the window to be raised by selective actuation of the movable contact arm 29 to transfer it from its normally closed engagement with the fixed contact 25 to the fixed contact 27. This completes an electrical circuit from the voltage source 46, the conductor 48, the fixed contacts 26 and 27, the movable contact arm 29; and the conductor 52 to the terminal 14 of the reversible D.C. motor 10.. The other terminal 12 of the motor is returned to ground through the conductor 50, the movable contact arm 28;, the fixed contact 24, the conductor 54., the movable contact arm 36, and the fixed contact 34. Those skilled in the art will note that the actuation of switch 18 in this manner causes current to flow through the motor 10 in a direction which is opposite to the direction of current flow through the motor which resulted from the actuation of switch 20, as illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawing. Due to this reversal of current flow through the motor 10, the motor will rotate in an Opposite direction and cause the window to be raised. It also will be noted that if desired, the driver may raise the window by actuation of the switch 32 in the driver switch assembly 16. The driver accomplishes this by transferring the movable switch arm 42 of the switch 32 from the stationary contact 40, to the stationary contact 44. At this time, the movable contact arm 29 of the passenger switch 22 will be in its normally closed engagement with the fixed contact 25. As such, a circuit is completed from the voltage source 46, the fixed contacts 38 and 44, the movable contact 42, the conductor 56, the fixed contact 25, the movable contact arm 29, and the conductor 52; to the terminal 14 of the motor 10. The other terminal 12 of the D.C. motor 10 will be returned to, groundas in the manner previously described and as shown in FIGURE 2 As such, the window may be raised selectively by either the passenger or the driver at their respective switching stations.

The off or neutral condition of these switches within the passenger and driver switch assemblies is illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing. In accordance with a feature of this invention, as described in greater detail below, the movable switch arms of each of the switches is biased into normal electrical engagement with the upper stationary contacts, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing. As a result, both terminals 12 and 14 of the D.C. motor 10 are connected to ground. Therefore, the D.C. motor will not be energized and the window will remain its last adjusted position until such time as the passenger or the driver actuates, their respective switch assemblies.

One embodiment of switch assembly which advantageously may be used in the novel motor control circuit of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawing. This particular switch construction provides a common housing 18 for a pair of individual single pole, single throw switches, such as switches 20 and 22 in FIGURE 1 of the drawing. The cross-sectional view of FIGURE 4 illustrates one-half of the switch assembly with the contacts, spring, and terminals of the other half of the switch assembly being substantially identical to that shown but in reversed position on theother half of the assembly (not shown).

As shown in FIGURE 4, the stationary contact 24 of the single pole, single throw switch 20 is in its normal electrical engagement with the movable contact arm 28. The movable contact arm 28 is pivotally connected, as by means of the pivot fastener 70, to the housing with a terminal 28a extending therefrom to provide electrical connection to the movable contact arm. The remaining fixed or stationary contact 26 is provided below and' spaced from the movable contact arm 28, and each of the stationary contacts 24 and 26 have a terminal 240 and 26a respectively, extending from the housing 18 to permit electrical connection to the contacts. A manually operable switch actuator 60 is pivotally secured to. the housing 18 as by means of suitable trunnions or the like. Preferably, the manual switch actuator 60 is provided with a finger receiving extension or lever 62 to enable the operator to pivotally rotate the switch actuator 60 in either direction in a selective manner for controlling the upward or downward movement of the window. The switch actuator 60 is operatively connected, as shown in FIGURE 4, to a return spring 66 such that the rotation of the switch actuator 60 in one direction causes the movable contact arm 28 to be transferred from its normal engagement with the stationary contact 24 to electrical engagement with the remaining stationary contact 26.

Since the switch assembly 18 is symmetrical, as illus: trated in FIGURE 5, the rotation of the switch actuator 60 in the opposite direction will provide a similar action to transfer the movable contact arm 29 from its normally engaged stationary contact 25 to its remaining stationary contact 27. The latter is not shown in FIGURE 4 since, as explained above, these parts and operation are identical to the switch parts and operation for switch 20, which are shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing.

It also will be appreciated, that in the normal or unoperated condition of the switch actuator 60, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the return spring 66 will cause the switch actuator to remain in its neutral or off position, with the switch movable contact arms in engagement with their upper contacts, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, to thereby maintain the D.C. motor in its off or unenergized condition.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one of the problems in prior art systems for controlling reversible motors from two or more switching stations has been the avoidance of directly short circuiting the power source. Some systems have attempted to avoid this problem through the use of a multiplicity of relays and complicated wiring schemes. In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, all possibility of such short circuits may be eliminated by the use of the present improved switch assemblies connected in a complementary, series circuit arrangement.

While there has been shown and described a specific embodiment of the present invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and alternative constructions as fall within their true spirit and scope.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In a vehicle window system of the type including a reversible D.C. window operating motor having an armature through which current may pass in either of two opposite directions to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor, and a D.C. voltage source for energizing said motor, said D.C. motor and said D.C. voltage source each having a pair of terminals, the improvement of a control circuit for selectively energizing said motor comprising at least first and second single pole, double throw switches; each of said switches having a pair of spaced-apart stationary contacts and a movable contact arm, means pivotally mounting said contact arm to permit it to selectively be moved into electrical contact with either of said stationary contacts; conductor means connecting one stationary contact on each of said switches to a terminal of said D.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the other stationary contact on each of said switches to the other terminal of said D.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the movable contact arm of the first switch to one terminal of said D.C. motor and connecting the movable contact arm of the second switch to the other terminal of said D.C. motor; spring biasing means in each of said first and second switches in operative engagement with the movable contact arm therein for normally maintaining each movable contact arm in electrical connection with its associated stationary contact connected to the D.C. motor whereby no energizing power is applied to said motor from said voltage source, and manually operable means adapted when actuated in a first manner to transfer the movable contact arm of said first switch to its other stationary contact for causing the motor to rotate in a given direction and adapted when actuated in a second manner to transfer the movable contact arm of said second switch to its other stationary contact for causing the motor to rotate in a reverse direction.

2. In a vehicle window system of the type including a reversible D.C. window operating motor having an armaturethrough which current may pass in either of two opposite directions to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor, and a D.C, voltage source for energizing said motor, said D.C. motor and said D.C. voltage'source each having a pair of terminals, the improvement of a control circuit for selectively energizing said motor comprising at least first and second single pole, double throw switches, positioned within a common housing; each of said switches having a pair of spaced-apart stationary contacts and a movable contact arm, means pivotally mounting said con tact arm to permit it to be selectively moved into electrical contact with either of said stationary contacts; conductor means connecting one stationary contact on each of said switches to a terminal of said D.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the other stationary contact on each of said switches to the other terminal of said D.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the movable contact arm of the first switch to one terminal of said D.C. motor and connecting the movable contact arm of the second switch to the other terminal of said D.C. motor; means in each of said first and second switches in operative engagement with the movable contact arm therein for normally maintaining each movable contact arm in electrical connection with its associated stationary contact connected to the D.C. motor whereby no energizing power is applied to said motor from said voltage source; and bi-directional means pivotally positioned on said common housing and adapted when actuated in a first direction to transfer the movable contact arm of said first switch to its other stationary contact for causing current to flow through said motor in a given direction and adapted when actuated in a second direction to transfer the movable contact arm of said second switch to its other stationary contact for causing current to flow through said motor in an opposite direction.

3. In combination with a reversible D.C. motor having an armature through which current may pass in either of two opposite directions to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor, and a D.C. voltage source for energizing said motor, said D.C. motor and said D.C. voltage source each having a pair of terminals, the improvement of a control circuit for selectively energizing said motor comprising a pair of switches; each of said switches having a pair of spaced-apart stationary contacts and a movable contact arm, means pivotally mounting said contact arm to permit it to be moved into electrical contact with either of said stationary contacts; conductor means connecting o ne stationary contact on each of said switches to a terminal of said D.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the other stationary contact on each of said switches to the other terminal of said D.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the movable contact arm of one switch to one terminal of said D.C. motor and connecting the movable contact arm of the other switch to the other terminal of said D.C. motor; spring biasing means in each of said switches for normally maintaining each movable contact arm in electrical connection with its associated stationary contact connected to the D.C. motor whereby no energizing power is applied to said motor from said voltage source; and manually operable means operable in a first manner to transfer the movable contact arm of said one switch to its other stationary contact for causing the motor to rotate in agiven direction and operable in a second manner to transfer the movable contact arm of said other switch to its other stationary contact for causing the motor to rotate in a reverse direction.

4. In combination with a reversible DC. motor having an armature through which current may pass in either of two opposite directions to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor, and a DC, voltage sourcefor energizing said motor, said DC. motor and said D.C. voltage source each having a pair of terminals, the improvement of a control circuit for selectively energizing said motor comprising first, second, third and fourth single pole, double throw switches; each of said switches having a pair of spaced-apart stationary contacts and a movable contact arm, means pivotally mounting said contact arm to permit' it to be moved into electrical contact with either of said'stationary'contaets; conductor means connecting one stationary contacton each of said switches to a terminal of said D.CQ voltage source; conductor means connecting thev other stationary contact on said first and second switches tothe other terminal of said DC. voltage source; Conductor means connecting the movable contact arm of said third switchto one terminal of said DC, motor and connecting the movable contact arm of said fourth switch to the 'other terminal of said DC. motor; conductor means connecting the other stationary contact of said third switch to the movable contact arm of said first switch and connecting the other stationary'bontabt of said fourth switch to the movable contact arm of said second switch; means in each of said switches for normally maintaining each movable contact arm in electrical connection with the DC. motor and only one terminal of said voltage source whereby no energizing power is applied to said motor from said voltage source; and selectively operable means operatively associated with each of said movable contact arms to enable each movable contact arm to be selectively transferred to its other stationary cont-act for causing current to flow through said motor in a selected direction for controlling the direction of rotation of said motor.

i 5. In a vehicle window system having a reversible D.C. window operating motor having an armature through which current'may pass in either of two opposite directions to reversethe direction of rotation of said motor, and a DC, voltage source for energizing said motor, said DC. motor and said DC. voltage source each having a 8 pair of terminals, the improvement of a control circuit for selectively energizing said motor comprising first, second, third and fourth single pole,vdouble throw switches, said first and second switches being positioned in a common housing and said third and fourth switches being positioned in a common housing; each of said switches having a pair of spaced-apart stationary contacts and a movable contact arm, means pivotally mounting said contact arm to permit it to be moved into electrical contact with either of said stationary contacts; conductor means connecting one stationary contact on each of saidswitches to a terminalof said DC. voltage source; conductor means connecting the other stationary contact on said first and sec ond switches to the other terminal of saidD.C. voltage source; conductor means connecting the movable contact arm of said third switch to one terminal .of said DC. motor and connecting the movable contact arm of said fourth switch to the other terminal of said D.C. motor; conductor means connecting the other stationary contact of said third switch to the movable contact arm of said first switch and connecting the other stationary contact of said fourth switch to the movable contact arm of said second switch; spring biasing means i in each of said switches for normally maintaining each movable contact arm in electrical connection with only one terminal of said voltage source and the DC. motor whereby no energizing'power is applied to said motor from said voltage source; and selectively operable means operatively associated with each of saidmovable contact arms to enable each movable contact arm tobe selectively transferred to its other stationary contact for causing current to flow through said motor in a selected direction for controlling the direction of rotation of said motor, said selectively operable means for said first and second switches being I a bi-directional actuator pivotally positioned in one common housing and said selectively operable means for said third and fourth switches being abi-directional actuator pivotally positioned in the other common housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,621,037 12/1952 Riedel 3185 84 X r 2,640,958 6/1953 Davis 318483 X 2,802,694 8/1957 Murray 3l8483 X 2,823,346 2/1958 Weber 318-483 2,912,632 11/1959 Turtel 318-293 X 3,147,423 9/1964 Du Rocher 318293 X ORIS L. RADER, Primary Examiner, J. C. BERENZWEIQExaminer, 

1. IN A VEHICLE WINDOW SYSTEM OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A REVERSIBLE D.C. WINDOW OPERATING MOTOR HAVING AN ARMATURE THROUGH WHICH CURRENT MAY PASS IN EITHER OF TWO OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS TO REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SAID MOTOR, AND A D.C. VOLTAGE SOURCE FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR, SAID D.C. MOTOR AND SAID D.C. VOLTAGE SOURCE EACH HAVING A PAIR OF TERMINALS, THE IMPROVEMENT OF A CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR COMPRISING AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND SINGLE POLE, DOUBLE THROW SWITCHES; EACH OF SAID SWITCHES HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED-APART STATIONARY CONTACTS AND A MOVABLE CONTACT ARM, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID CONTACT ARM TO PERMIT IT TO SELECTIVELY BE MOVED INTO ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH EITHER OF SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS; CONDUCTOR MEANS CONNECTING ONE STATIONARY CONTACT ON EACH OF SAID SWITCHES TO A TERMINAL OF SAID D.C. VOLTAGE SOURCE; CONDUCTOR MEANS CONNECTING THE OTHER STATIONARY CONTACT ON EACH OF SAID SWITCHES TO THE OTHER TERMINAL OF SAID D.C. VOLTAGE SOURCE; CONDUCTOR MEANS CONNECTING THE MOVABLE CONTACT ARM OF THE FIRST SWITCH TO ONE TERMINAL OF SAID D.C. MOTOR AND CONNECTING THE MOVABLE CONTACT ARM OF THE SECOND SWITCH TO THE OTHER TERMINAL OF SAID D.C. MOTOR; SPRING BIASING MEANS IN EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES IN OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MOVABLE CONTACT ARM THEREIN FOR NORMALLY MAINTAING EACH 